Day 5 - Reno NV to Bellingham WA
After the wind of the previous evening, Sunday 17 July dawned clear and still. The flight northward across some spectacular landscapes was something to look forward to.
Reno Stead is not only a public use airport and home of the Reno Air Race, but also hosts regular sports car races / sprints for Sports Car Club of America members and this Sunday was no exception as 'GOOFY' passed by the race pits on the way to fuel up.
The plan was to fly north to Mulino airport (4S9) just south of Portland OR where EAA Chapter 902 was holding a Young Eagles weekend. What a spectaular route to fly, from Reno to Klamath Falls, then north over Crater Lake clearly showing how it got its name. At 6173 ft msl this extinct volcano, filled with water was certainly worth a detour. What a shame that all the pictures taken of this spectacular area were lost when my laptop 'crashed' yet again - still, it's a good excuse to come back another time.
Arriving at Mulino just as the pancake breakfast was winding down, I was fortunate to be able to enjoy the famed Oregon blueberry pancakes in place of lunch.
Mulino
A Young Eagle was waiting to be flown and a flight was made to his nearby town where 'GOOFY' performed some 'steep' turns around a point so the youth was able to enjoy a spectacular view of his home through the GlaStar's convex windows.
The city of Portland OR was clearly visible in the crystal clear air as 'GOOFY' headed north from Mulino's runway 32. Fuel was the next issue so a stop was made at Scappoose - a delighful setting alonside the Hood river.
Once refreshed, 'GOOFY' was ready to go even further north - right to the Canadian border. But first there was Seattle to pass by, with views of the spectacular Mt Rainier still snow capped despite the July heatwave.
My route took me via the Olympia vortac then skirting the Bangor TFR and directly overhead Whidby Island NAS on track for a stop at Bellingham (BLI) WA. This airport has the most north western control tower, and Brown Field San Diego had the most south western tower. As I was also going to land at Bangor ME which has the most north eastern tower, a new challenge emerged to land at Key West, FL which has the most south easterm tower - a four corners flight in a different way!
Again, the crystal clear air made the view over towards Orcas Island and the surrounding San Juan islands truly spectacular, tempting me back for a landing the next day.
The tower controllers at Bellingham were particularly friendly, a little different to my experiences in southern California. Having been unable to find accommodation at Lubbock and San Diego, I made a point of talking to the FBO as soon as I landed.
As I was going further north to Lynden (38W) the guy on the desk suggested I should stay at the local country club, as Lynden was his home town. However, my luck was still not in as this fine establishment was full. Still, I could always come back to Bellingham where accommodation was available - and this is just what I had to do!
Lynden is certainly an interesting airfield, with a short 2425 ft x 40 ft runway, hidden from view in amongst houses and trees. Indeed, it took a pass overhead to determine if in fact it was an airport or just another street, so close were the hanger homes to the narrow runway. The approach to runway 25 has a slope of 39:1 from the 70 ft trees to the displaced threshold and a PAPI with a steep 6 deg glide slope, compared to the more normal 3 deg slope. A short field landing was appropriate here even though the 2425 ft runway would not normally require this. Talking to the friendly local pilots I found that a 'V' tail Bonanza and a Beech Baron were based here - perhaps they use 07 to land and 25 for departures, whatever is happening with the wind.
Lynden
Lynden is where EAA Chapter 404 holds its meetings, even though it is known as the Bellingham Chapter. Something had gone wrong with communications as despite arriving on time there was no one there to greet me - so no Young Eagle to fly here!
Take-off on 25 was not a problem for 'GOOFY', but care had to be taken not to stray into Canadian airspace, which immediately adjoins the traffic pattern. The short flight back to Bellingham was extended a little by more than a few turns to view the distant snow covered Canadian mountains surrounding the famous ski area of Whistler.
